Remembering the Dunedin Cadbury Factory

When plans were announced for building the new Dunedin Hospital on the Cadbury Factory site, I knew it would be really important to get at least one good image of the Cadbury factory as a keepsake before it was demolished. The idea was good, but taking an interesting image proved a little harder.

I thought it might be nice to start by photographing the silos with a longer lens, and by doing so, include the spire of First Church in the frame.

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The Dunedin Cadbury Factory silos. The ‘glass and a half ‘ symbol, established in 1928 to promote the glass and a half of full cream milk in every 200g of Cadbury chocolate.

I would always be looking for opportunities to grab a different perspective of the factory, and on this occasion I was driving through town late afternoon, close to sunset, so the shadows were getting long and the light was warm and summery. I used the apartment building as the foreground, and as luck would have it a seagull flew through the image at the moment of capture.

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Cadbury Factory Silos, view from the Dunedin Railway Station.

The last image I took finally gave me the ‘something special’ I was looking for in a keepsake. I was on my way to Sue Todd Antiques, a regular client, to photograph lovely items for her website. The weather looked a little stormy with a mix of dark clouds and blue sky. The sun was still fairly low in the sky and the angle of it was shining brightly on the Cadbury factory windows. By shooting into the sun, the resulting light created a very monochromatic look to the image. The vantage point I took the image from also allowed me to include the Cadbury Fry building in the composition.

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Cadbury Factory Dunedin. People have commented, the Cadbury factory even looks a little like a chocolate bar.

As a comparison, below a similar image, after the silos and factory had been demolished. By chance the view here now shows the old Dunedin Hospital.

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The Cadbury factory provided employment for so many Dunedin men and women, and has been an important part of our cities history. I do feel a slight loss now when I gaze toward where the silos used to be in the current work site, but the promise of a state of the art hospital is something I can also appreciate and look forward to having in Dunedin.

Photoshoot: Dunedin City streets Vol 2

Another location photoshoot in Dunedin city with Rachel. I used a single godox ad200 light on a stand for all of the images. I am a Fuji shooter, so X-H1 camera body, with either the XF 35mm 1.4 or XF 23mm f2.

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An alleyway shot using the graffiti to balance the shot. I love images that could tell a story.

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Slight position change in this one.

The old Post Office building on Princes street. Remember the days of using a telephone booth? I popped the Godox flash to the right of Rachel, adding a kiss of light to the ambient light filtering into the scene.

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The exterior of the old Post office building, but here the atmosphere is more stylistic and gritty with the lighting.

The ugly concrete walkway on upper Dowling street. I popped the Godox ad200 to the right of Rachel to create this frame within a frame image.

Alleyway off Moray Place. I loved the pockets of light in this area, so placed Rachel on the edge of one well lite area and added a pop of flash to fill in the shadows around her eyes.

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Same image but a portrait version of the scene with Rachel looking at the camera. Sometimes it’s too hard to pick which one you like best.

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Stairwells behind the Regent theatre made for fascinating lines in the images. I loved this spot so will include a few variations of the same scene,

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A portrait version of the scene.

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A wider landscape version.

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First Church was closed, so a perfect opportunity to utilise the stunning doors in an image of Rachel.

Dunedin never ceases to amaze me with the number of interesting locations on offer.

Dunedin walks: Haywards Track

Access to Haywards track can be made from two locations. The first is just outside of the small seaside village of Aramoana or from the end of Haywards road. If you start from Aramoana you will include more uphill walking. I started from the Haywards road entry point as I enjoy the views from driving along the top road. From Haywards Rd you simply follow the yellow markers as they run along farmland fencing to join the track.

View of Aramoana from walk to join Haywards track.

Follow the yellow markers to join up with Haywards track.

After a fairly decent walk you will finally join up with Haywards track. From here you will have an excellent view of Tairaoa head on the Otago Peninsula.

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Haywards track view of Taiaroa head and the Otago Peninsula.

Once you have joined up the track you follow a track along the cliff edge at a safe distance. The walk to Haywards point is mostly downhill and quite steep in parts. On a wet day it could be quite slippery. It’s important to note you return the same way as you came, so heading back requires plenty of walking uphill. The walk to Haywards point is about 2.5km each way, not a huge distance at all, but the undulating terrain makes for very good exercise.

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End of the hike, looking down to Haywards point.

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A pest trap with views on Haywards point in Dunedin.

This rocky outcrop is home to a shag colony. Haywards Point, Dunedin.

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Possibly a rusted old whaling winch at Haywards Point in Dunedin.

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Views of Purakaunui from Haywards Point.

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View of Aramoana beach heading back along Haywards track.

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Keyhole rock on Aramoana beach in Dunedin.

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Container ship making its way to Port Chalmers in Dunedin.

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Container ship passing by Taiaroa head and the lighthouse.

Haywards track is a great way to stretch the legs and get some fresh sea air. Be sure to take layers as Haywards point is exposed to the elements and the sea breezes can drop the temperature considerably. The walk from my parked car was roughly 10,000 steps. Plus if you fancy a coffee afterwards there are plenty of cafes in Port Chalmers to stop off and relax in on the way back to Dunedin.

Photoshoot: Dunedin city in leather.

In this fashion themed photoshoot, I explore the back alleys of Dunedin city with model Amy in her black biker leathers.

Gear Used: Fujifilm XH1, XF23mm F2, XF56mm 1.2, Godox AD200pro.

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I really loved the iron work over the windows so we went wide here with the XF23mm f2 at f5.6 to create some scale and impact. Great pose from Amy.

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Placing Amy on the ledge provided an opportunity to create a leading line with the stairwell. Here I used the XF56mm @ f5.6 The sunlight is coming from the right of the camera. I am simply using the Godox AD200pro to create fill on Amy’s face.

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The light is skimming across the face of the colourful wall and washing over Amy. XF23mm f2 @f5.6. One of the hardest things about modelling is posing but making it look natural at the same time. Amy really pulls off a candid moment.

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Amy pulls off a Matrix vibe here standing underneath the dripping paint from some street art. XF56mm 1.2 @ f5.6. I placed the light opposite her in this shot so it creates a natural vignette around her.

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My favourite image from the set with the sun creating highlights on Amy’s hair, leather jacket and pants. The Godox Ad200pro provides the fill so we can see Amy’s face as well as C3PO and R2D2. XF56mm 1.2 @ f5.6.

Another fun photoshoot in the colourful and interesting back streets of Dunedin city. A massive thank you to Amy for rocking the biker leathers and shades.